Wheeled gun carriage



' Feb. 12, 1935.

N. E. METHLIN WHEELED GUN CARRIAGE Filed Dec. 15, 1933 4 Sheafis-Sheet 1 Feb, 12, 1935. N. E. METHLIN I WHEELED GUN CARRIAGE Filed Dec. 15, 1953 4-Sheets-Sheetf 2 R; N I

w l W N m w m, U W w \Y Feb. 12, 1935.

N. E METHLIN WHEELED GUN CARRIAGE Filed Dec. 13, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I N. E. METHLIN LQQQQQSZ WHEELED GUN CARRIAGE Filed Dec. 13, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Q Patented at. 1,2, 1:93

QFHQE vvnnnmn GUN CARRIAGE Nicolas jErnilien Methlin, Paris, France, assignor' to Schneider & of France 1 QApplica'tion December 13, Ina-serial No. 702,254. i 7 In France September'7,;1931

' I8 "Blair-ins.

Thepresent invention relates to a wheeled gun carriage with split trail and one or more auxiliary trails as well as detachable wheels or an oscillating or' non-oscillating set of wheels for.

rapid conversion into ananti-aircraft gun carriage.

"The gun carriage according to the invention is characterized by a system of traillegs so adapted that the said trail legs may-both be'brought simultaneously; eitherby individual or coupled action, alternatively'into a position withthe' head, raisedin which the system of the said trail legs is'arrange'cl for traveling or for normal firing on wheels, or into a pcsition with the head lowered in: which the oscillating gun and cradle, during the pivoting of the top carriage; canpassabove the system: of

tives. r i

In ordertobe' able to efiect the change-over of the traillegsfrom the position with the head raised into the position with the'head lowered ac they lower, them.

cording to the inventioma: construction may be provided in whichthe traillegs are actedupon individually, or both traillegs are acted .upon to-. vgethenthe latter being adapted to slide separately or conjointly in the pintle bearing or carriage,

body when thecarriage comprises an oscillating axle. When the carriage doescnot comprise an oscillating axle, the legs of the split trailbeing in this case pivoted-to across-piece adapted to,

oscillate in th'epintlebearing rigidly supported by the axle, the changeover from the raised position to the lowered position may alsobe effected by pivoting the system of trail legs about the pivot joining the cross-'piecetothe carriage body or a cross-piecein two parts maybe employed which parts are adapted to occupy'two positions, one in which they raise the headset the trail legs pivoted to their free ends and the other in which an oscillating axle, the change-over from the raised position to the lowered position may be .ef-

fected bya displacement of thelongitudinal joint of the system of trail .legs in the'pintle bearing,

ori there may be provided for the longitudinal joint of the'system of trail legsa movable bearingadapted' to be brought alternatively into an upperiposition' orinto a lower positionrfon example by means of a screwand nutmechanism.

The first of these various constructional" forms; which are merely cited by way ofexample; are represented in the accompanying drawings} the trail legs for firing atiaerial objec-= Finally, particularly .in the case in which the carriage is not providedwith position is shown in full'lines in Figure 1.

1932, of 'whic'hithisjapplication is a continuation in part. 7 V r 7 Figures'lan'd 2 show respectively in side elevation and plan a constructional form of the invention employed in combination with equipment on wheels'comprising an oscillating axle, and wherein 'the legsof the split trail may be'brought indi vidually, by sliding of their heads, alternatively into the raised and lowered positions.

FigureB is ahorizontal sectional view taken substantially online 3-3 of Figure l. V Figured is a fragmentary elevation of a'modi'fication'of the embodiment shown in Figures 1-3. Figures 5 and 6 are side elevation and man views of 'a' portion of another gun mount embodying another form of the invention. 7 a

Figure '7 is a sectional'end elevation taken substantially on line 77 of Figure 6.

a longitudinal joint 0 permitting a transverse" I oscillation ofthe set of wheels c -c c relatively to'an intermediate piece 0 carried by the" pintle bearing 1), due to an attachment b by means whereot the entire" set ofwheels may bedetached from the pintle bearing by'horizontal sliding. The bottom carriage comprises two trail legs d, d, which for the purpose of being spread. out and brought together are movable-about pivots' e," e, which in the known equipments are formed on or carried by the pintle bearing 12.

According: to the invention, the pivots e are each carried onan intermediate pie ceor trail leg head ,fzwhich is adapted to slideon a curved'guide b theseotion of which is clearly visible in Figure 3; The fixing of the trail legs in the'bottom By withdrawingthe pin d the trail leg may be raised from the lowered position into theposition'fortraveling' or firing on wheels, the trail leg' then" being fixed by. means of the pin* d engaging'a' second hole situated at a suitable-level .on'the' pintlebeeifing as indicatedinchainlihesin Fig?- the example shown; the equipment' also" coinprisesv a: detachable auxiliary traili h, in one? leg head.

or more parts, which is adapted to be fixed to the pintle bearing 19 for example by means of when the legs of the split trail are in their desired spread-out position for battery position for firing against aerial objectives, engage cor-.- responding bosses d carried by the heads ,fof

the said trail legs d and are secured thereto by pins h With the equipment which has just been described, the legs (2 of the split trail may be brought together into the position with raised head for traveling, as indicated in chain lines in Figures 1 and 2. Of" course, for traveling, the auxiliary trail will have to be removed and transported separately. In case of surprise, firing may be carried out with the trail legs brought together and "anchored to the ground in the position indicated in chain lines in Figure 1.

By leaving the trail legs in the raised position shown in Figure 1, firing may be effected with the trail legsv spread apart in a position of spread only limited by the wheels. Finally, in order to convert the equipment with a View to firing against aerial objectives, the heads of the trail legs are brought into the lower position and the trail legs may then be spread further apart.

In order to convert the equipmentdefinitely for firing against aerial objectives, an auxiliary trail h will be placedin position and. the set of wheels will then be removed. .As shown in chain lines in Figure 1, the oscillating gun and cradle inall positions of elevation can pass above the trails, the pivoting of the gun and cradle in the pintle bearing 1) and the recoil of the gun on the cradle being possible throughout .the whole field of fire of 360.

Figure 4 shows a modification of thedevice shown in Figures 1, 2 and '3; In this example, the guide provided for each of the trail leg heads on the pintle bearing b is in the .form of a rack b for a pinion or a worm d journaled in the trail leg head and. adapted to be manipulated by a hand wheel or handle or ratchet. As in the case of guides b the centers of curvature of arcuate racks b are substantially. coincidental with the points of engagementicf the trail leg feet g with. the ground, and said racks .lie in substantially vertical planes. 7 Figures 5 to 7 show respectively in side elevation, part plan, and part sectional end elevation, another constructional example comprising a carriage with an oscillating axle. Inthis example, the pintle bearing 19 comprise for each of the heads of the legs d of the split trail, a substantially vertical helical guideb which may be formed as a projection on the body of the pintle bearing b as shown in Figure 6 and which is engaged by the corresponding trail In the .case in which the" trail leg body (1 is rigidly integral with the head. engaging the guide, thetrail legsare capable of assuming exactly two positions, as indicated in full lines and chain lines respectively in Figures 5 and 6. When the trail legs occupy the upper po:

sition at the top of the guides bithey will neces-' sarily be together for the purpose of limbering up and transpQrtI-When thetrail legs occupy the bottom position indicated in full lines, they will necessarily be at the desired spread-for the battery position of the equipment, with wheelsremoved, for firing against aerial objectives, or with a view to'firing on the oscillating axle for ordinary field firing. Of course, it is possible in addition to provide heads of split trail legs guided lielically on the pintle bearing 12, the trail, leg bodies being hinged to the said heads by vertical pivots, as in the embodiments of Figures 1-4. sible to give any desired positions of spread to the trail legs.

The equipment may comprise, as shown in Figures 5 and 6,fan auxiliary trail h, the head of which will,be guided on segments b provided on the pintle bearing 1). Thus, by sliding the .head on the guide, this trail may be brought into the traveling position shown in chain lines in Figure 5, in which the trail body will be hooked underneath the cradle by a link 2'. In the bottom position, the trail h may be fastened to the trail legs d, the latter carrying forthis purpose lugs or bosses d which are secured to the forksh or" theauxiliary trail head by pins 713.

What is claimed is: r

1. In a gun carriage, a pintle'bearing, a trail leg adapted to be secured to said bearing, and means for securing said trail leg to said bearing in a plurality of difierent positions relative thereto including a curved slide guide carried by. said bearing, anda cooperating slide block member secured to said trail leg andengaging said guide in sliding relation therewith, said guide being so constructed and arranged that when said slide block member is adjacent the upper and lower ends of said guide the trail leg is in raised position for normal firing with the gun transportation means in place and lowered emplaced position. for firing at aerial: objectives, respectively.

In a gun carriage, a pintle bearing, a trail leg adapted to be secured to said bearing, and means forsecuring said trail leg to said bearing in a plurality of dififerent positions relative thereto including a curved slide guide carried by said bearing and having its center of curvature substantially coincidental with the point of engagement of' said trail leg with the ground, and a cooperating slide block member secured to said trail legahdengaging saidguide in sliding relaticn therewith, said guide being so constructed and arranged that when said slide block member is adjacent the upper and lower ends of said guide the trail leg is in raised position for normal firing'with the gun transportation means in place and lowered emplaced position for firing at aerial objectives, respectively.

3. Ina gun carriage, a pintle bearing, a trail leg adaptedto be secured to said bearing, and means for securing said trail leg to said bearing in a plurality of different positions relative thereto including a curved slide guide carried by said bearing, a cooperating slide block member se-. cured to saidtrail leg and engaging said guide in sliding relation therewith, said guide being so constructed and arranged that when said slide block member is adjacent the upper and lower ends of said guide the trail leg is in raised posi-.

tion for normal firing with the gun transportation means in place and lowered emplaced position for firing at aerial objectives, respectively, an auxiliary trail, and means for connecting said auxiliary trail to a portion of the gun carriage Inthis case, it would be posneeaesa toi said bearing in; raised; and lowered positions including a..pai r of. curved slide guides-carried by lsaidwbearing. :andfla cooperatingg slide block membenbarried';by.;the inner endioi. each of said legs and engaging} one of said guides in sliding relation therewith; said guidesbeing so constructed-and arranged that .whensaid slideqblocks areadjacent the upper andlower endsof said lowered position.

uidesjgthe traillegs are, in-raised-position for normal; firing withtheguntransportation .means in place-and lowered emplaced position for. firing at; aeria objectives, respectively, anauxiliary trail; means. for connecting said auxiliary trail to a portion of the gunycarriagethatis fixed during firing when said split. trail legsmare .in

5a In..a gun carriage; a1 pintle bearing, a. split trail having, a pair of: legs adapted to be secured to; said bearing, means..;for. securing said [trail legs to: said bea iizngkin raised and lowered positions including at pair of *curved slide guidescarried by said bearingand ajcooperatingslide'block mem ber carriedby the inner end of each of said legs andien aging; one of said guides in sliding relation therewith, said guides. being. so. constructed and arranged-that when .said slide, blocks are. adja: cent; the; upperjand lowerends of said guides the trail: legs ar =1'aised position for normal firing with the} gun transportation means in place and lowered emplaced, position -for firing fat aerial objectives;"respectiyely, an auxiliary trail; and

means for connectingsaid auxiliary .trail to both said pintle bearingand said split traillegs when the latter are in lowered position. a

6. In a gun carriage, a pintle bearing, a split. trail havinga pair of legs, adapted. to be secured to said bearing, means for securing said trail legs to said bearing in raised andlowered positions including a pair of curved slide guides carried by said bearing and'a cooperating slide block member carried by. the inner end of each of'said legs and engaging one of said guides in sliding relation therewith, said guides being so constructed and arranged that when said slide blocks are adjacent the upper and lower ends of said guides the trail legs are in raised position for normal firing with the gun transportation means in place and lowered emplaced position for firing at aerial objectives, respectively, an auxiliary trail having a forked trail head, and means for connecting said forked trail head to the slide block members of said split trail legs when the latter are in lowered position.

'7. In a gun carriage, a pintle bearing, a trail leg adapted to be secured to said bearing, and means for securing said trail leg to said bearing in a plurality of different positions relative thereto including a slide guide carried by said bearing,

an intermediate member engaging said guide and adapted to slide thereon, and a pivotal connection between said intermediate member and said trail leg.

8. In a gun carriage a pintle bearing, a trail leg adapted to be secured to said bearing, and means for securing said trail leg to said bearing in a plurality of different positions relative thereto including a substantially-vertical slide guide carried by said'bearing, an intermediate member engaging said guide and adapted to slide up and down therealong, and a pivotal connection having a substantially vertical axis between said intermediate member and said trail leg.

9. ma gun carriage, a pintle bearing, a trail leg adapted to besecured to said bearing, and means for securing said trail leg to saidbeari in. a plurality of, different positionsrelative there to, including anarcuatejslide guide carried by said bearing: andrhaving its center of curvature substantially coinoidentalcwith..the point of engagementnof said trail leg with the ground, an intermediate-memberengaging said guide anda'daptedto slide therealong, and a pivotalconnection between said intermediate, member and said trail leg. r i i T 11.0. In a; gun carriagaa pintle bearing, a trail legadapted 1'56 be secured to saidbearing, and

means for. securingsaid trail legto said bearing inaplurality of different positions relative thereto including a substantially verticalfarcuate slide guide: carried by; said bearing, and having) its center of curvature substantially coincidental withthe point of engagement of said .trail leg with thenground, an intermediate member en-i gaging said guideandadapted to slide: up and down therealong, meansfor locking said. intermediate member inaplurality of positions relative tdfsaidgiude, and a pivotal connection having aa substantially vertical axis between said intermediate. member and said trailjleg.

119111 a: gun carriage, a pintle bearing, a: trail leg adapted- .to besecured, to said bearing, and means forsecuring: saidtrail leg to said bearing in a plurality'of difierent positionsrelative thereto including a slide, guide'car'riedby said bearing and provided withteeth constituting arack, an intermediate member engaging said rack and carrying a pinion adaptedto. roll along said rack, and a pivotal. connection between said intermediate member and said trail leg.

. l 2. In. a gun carriage, a pintle bearing, a'trail leg. adapted to. be 8601111664170 said. bearing, and means for securing said trail leg to said bearing in a plurality of different positions relative thereto including a substantially-vertical slide guide carried by said bearing and provided with teeth constituting a rack, an intermediate member engaging said guide and carryinga pinion adapted to roll up and down along said rack, and a pivotal connection having -a substantially vertical axis between said intermediate member and said trail leg.

13. In a gun carriage, a pintle bearing, a trail leg adapted to be secured to said bearing; and means for securing said trail leg to said bearing, in a plurality of different positions relative thereto including' a curved slide guide carried by. said bearing and provided with teeth constituting a rack, the center of curvature of said guide being substantially coincidental with the point of enthe inner end of each of said trail legs and engaging one of said guides, said guides being so constructed and arranged that when said slide blocks are adjacent the upper'and lower ends of said guides the trail legs are in raised position for normal firing with the gun transportation means in place and lowered emplaced position for firing at aerial objectives, respectively.

15. In a gun carriage, a pintle bearing, a split trail having a pair of legs adapted to be secured 4- r to said bearing, and means'for securing said trail legs to said bearing in raised and lowered positions including a pair of helical slide guides car-- guides,'said guides being so constructed and ar' ranged that when said slide blocks are adjacent the upper and lower ends of said guides the trail legs are in raised position for normal firing with the gun transportation means in place and lowered emplaced position for firing at aerial objec tives, respectively. a

16. In a gun carriage, a pintle bearing, a split trail having apair-of legs adapted to be secured to said bearing, means for securing said 'trail legs to said bearing inraised and lowered positions including a pair of helical slide guides carried by said bearing, and a slide block carriedby the inner end of each of said trail legs and engaging one of said guides, said guides being so constructed and arranged that when said slideblocks are adjacent the upper and lower ends of said guides the trail legs are in raised position for normal firing with the gun transportation means in place and lowered emplaced position for firing at aerial objectives, respectively, an auxiliary trail, and means for connecting said auxiliary trail to said split trail legs when in loweredposition. a

17. Ina gun carriage, a pintle bearing, a split trail having a pair of legs adapted to be secured to said bearing, means for securing said traillegs to said bearing in raised and lowered positions including a pair of'helical' slide guidescarried by said" bearing, and a slide block carried by the inner end of each of said trail legs and engaging one of said guides, said guides being so constructed and arranged that when said slide blocksare adjacent the upper and lower ends of said guides the trail legs are in raised position for normal firing with the gun transportation means in place and lowered emplaced position for firing at aerial objectives, respectively, an auxiliary trail; slide,

means carried by said bearing for guiding the movement of said auxiliary trail to and from raised and lowered positions, and means for connecting saidauxiliary trail to said-split trail legs when in lowered position. 18. In a gun carriage; a pintle bearing, a split trail having a pair of legs adapted to be secured to said bearing, means for securing said trail legs to said bearing in raised and lowered positions including a pair of helical slide guides carried by said bearing, and a slide blockcarried by the inner end of each of said trail legs and engaging one of said'guides, said guides being so construct said auxiliary trail from the gun slide when in raised position.

NICOLAS EMILIEN lVIETI-ILIN. 

